Fence-post



(No Model.)

J.-W. BARTON.

FENCE POST.

No. 270,370. Patented Jan. 9,1883.

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UNITED STATES 'ATENT QFFICE.

JOHL\ W. BARTON, OF EMPORIA, KANSAS.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 270,370, dated January9, 1883.

Application filed September 23, 1882. tXo model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1. JOHN W. BARTON, a citizen of the United States, aresident of Emporia, in the county of Lyon and State of Kansas, haveinvented a new and valuable Improvement in Fence-Posts; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact deseiiption ofthe construction and operation of the same, reference being had to theannexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to theletters and figures 'of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawlngs is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a top view. Fig.3 is a view of the post.

This invention has relation to fence-posts for wire fences; anditconsists in the construction and novel arrangement of thelaterallyflattened bar centrally bent to form the top of the post, itsbranches extending downward a short distance to form a bearing for apivoted or riveted third brunch, and all the branches diverging belowsaid bearing and terminating in perforated flanges or feet, which aresecured to stakes by means of rings or fastenings, all as hereinafterset forth.

in the accompanying drawings, the letter a designates a longlaterally-flattened bar of iron, which is centrallycurved or bent at bto form the top oi the post. For ashortdistance below the top thebranches 0 0 of this bar extend downward vertically and parallel witheach other, forming a bearing, (1, in which is pivoted or riveted athird branch, '6. Below the hearing (I the branches 0 c extend outwardand downward obliquely, terminating in perforated flanges or feet g. Theintermediate branclne, also extends downward and obliquely Willireference to the plane of the main branches 0, forming a strong bracetherefor.

Through the perforations of the feet g the ends h of the loops or rings70 are passed and twisted, as shown, to secure the rings or loops 7;thereto. Through these rings 70 the post is firmly held to the ground.

Perforations m are made through the edges of the main or verticalbranches 0 c of the post,

i which serve to support the horizontal fencewire, said wire beingeither passed through these perforations or connected thereto by wirefastenings it.

A post of this character is easily and cheaply made, and is strong anddurable. Although each branch is firmly attached by its stake to thesoil, the composite character of the post enables it to yield somewhatunder pressure in an elastic manner, readily springing back to itsnormal position when the pressure is relieved, without being injured orweakened, and without loosening the fastening-stakes, which are drivenentirely, or nearly so, into the ground.

A postformed of one piece of band-iron, having an enlarged open head forthe reception of the top rail, and the lower end extended transverselyto form a wide base, the two sides just so-far apart as to receive themiddle rails, the whole secured to a base by rivets or bolts andstiffened by counter-braces, has been used priorto niyinvention, andisnotclainied herein.

A brace for fence-panels provided with a pi oted strap and a ring,through which the holding-down pin passes to secure its lower end, hasbeen employed prior to niyinvention, and is not claimed herein.

claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A fence-post consisting of thelaterally-flattened bar a, centrally bentor curved at b to ing at first vertically downward to form a hearing,cl, and then laterally and obliquely outward,and thethird branclne,pivotedorriveted in the bearing and extending obliquely to the plane ofthe main branches 0 c, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my namein the presence of two witnesses.

J. W. BARTON. Witnesses:

WM. F. EWING, ROBERT BEST.

form the top of the post, its branches extend- Having described thisinvention, what I

